The Kentucky Derby, the most famous horse race in the world, is this Saturday, with a post time at 6:24p. Many DC bars are hosting watch parties (one is even doing a listening party as it has no TVs); it’s always a good excuse for day-drinking and dressing fancy. We’ve compiled a list of these events from the Post, BYT, Washingtonian, InTheCapital, Zagat, and Urbandaddy, along with our own research. These are helpfully organized by how much mint juleps will cost during the festivities, so you can know where to get your julep on (though likely the pricier juleps have higher-quality bourbon).
$5 Juleps
- Red Derby (ColHi): 11a-7pish, $3 bloody mary’s & mimosas, free derby pie at 6p
- The Blaguard (Adams Morgan): 12:30-7p
- Acadiana (PQ/Chinatown): tvs on patio & inside, $5 hot browns, burgoo stew, Derby pie & Bulleit tasting at 4p
- Ventnor Sports Cafe (AdMo): followed by DC United viewing party
- Old Glory (Georgetown)
- Barrel (Capitol Hill): 4-7p, $5 Barrel-aged Makers Mark Mint Juleps, house-made corndogs ($5), honey butter biscuits ($7)
$7 Juleps
- Acre 121 (ColHi): tvs on patio and inside, also $7 Derby Punch, hat contest
- Vinoteca (U Street): also boozy Churchill Downs Iced tea & other derby cocktails
- J. Paul’s (Georgetown): 4:30-6:30p (end of race), Big Hat Goose Island 312 Beer & Bourbon party, free J. Paul’s Amber Ale if you wear derby hat, also $7 baby Fireball shot & Derby Sangria
$8 Juleps
- Bourbon (Glover Park): Noon-7p, juleps made with Old Forester, derby punch specials
- The Brixton (U Street): 2-7p, tvs on 2nd floor & rooftop also $8 Ketel One lemonades, $5 drafts, $20 Miller Lite buckets
- Logan Tavern (14th St/Logan): Southern food; also $8 Ginger Arnold Palmer, Oaks Lily; $15 Kentucky bourbon flights
$10 Juleps
- Bourbon (Adams Morgan): starts at 11a, julep made with Old Forester & passed apps start at 3-4p
- The Heights (ColHi): $12 hot browns & $5 bourbon balls, drink specials
- Black Jack (14th/Logan)
Unknown Price
- Southern Efficiency (Shaw): starts at 2p, draft juleps, hot browns on broiler, no TVs, so announce winner or play radio
- Bourbon Steak (Georgetown): tv on patio, julep spritzers, prizes
- Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar (H Street): 5-7:30; Bulleit bourbon, mint julep crunkcakes, bbq prepared by guy from The Queen Vic on back patio, hosted by drag queen
- Smith Commons (H Street): 2-7p, HH upstairs ($5 selected beer, cocktails & wine), DJ, juleps & big hat contest
- RFD (Chinatown): julep specials from 3-6:30p
- Policy (14th/Logan)
- Irish Whiskey (Dupont)
- Old Dominion Brewhouse (Shaw/Convention Center): food and drink specials
Ticketed Admission
- Poste (PQ/Chinatown): $80; 3-7p, all-you-can-eat-and-drink inc. draft juleps, Southern cuisine, live bluegrass, Wii horse-race tourney, special DC Brau PQ Porter barrel-aged Knob Creek
- Round Robin (Willard): $80; 3-6p, 28th annual Bonnets and Bowties party, inc. 2 cocktails (juleps or otherwise), Southern buffet, music, prizes
- Park at Fourteenth (Downtown): $25 advance/$30 door; 6th annual benefit for Perry Center Youth Development programs, inc. games, auctions & prizes
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